Overview
In the Kana’im Valley between Arad and ancient Masada, a cluster of stone buildings, Bedouin tents, and palm trees forms a settlement that has operated since 1991. Kfar HaNokdim (literally “Village of the Shepherds”) draws its name and its sensibility from the semi-nomadic traditions of the Negev Bedouin, translating their hospitality into a form that accommodates modern visitors without dissolving the desert’s essential character.
The compound sits at a geological and cultural crossroads. It lies along the Abraham Path, the long-distance walking route that traces the patriarch’s biblical passage through this terrain. Masada’s western approach (the Roman ramp side) is 11 km by road, a 15 minute drive. The Dead Sea shore is approximately 45 minutes away.
Kfar HaNokdim operates 46 air-conditioned guest rooms in the Kana’im Valley, positioned 11 km from Masada’s western entrance and roughly 45 minutes from the Dead Sea shore, providing Bedouin-inspired desert accommodation founded in 1991 along the Abraham Path route.
Accommodation Options
Desert Guest Rooms
The 46 guest rooms line the compound’s outer edges, constructed from local stone with furniture handcrafted from iron, wood, and Dead Sea salt crystals. Each room includes air conditioning, a private bathroom (toiletries not provided), bed linens, towels, and coffee-making facilities. Most rooms accommodate a couple plus three to four additional guests. A small communal cooking area with gas stove, worktop, and refrigerator serves guests who bring their own utensils.
Sukkah Lodges
These semi-permanent structures are woven from goat hair, with wooden flooring and elevated verandas overlooking the desert. Sukkah lodges include sleeping futons and coffee-making facilities. They offer a middle ground between the guest rooms and the Bedouin tents, providing more open-air exposure than the stone rooms while retaining basic comfort.
Bedouin Tents
Traditional black goat-hair tents accommodate groups of 15 or more, decorated with rugs and soft mattresses in an authentic arrangement. Tents are rain-proofed and heated in winter. These accommodations require guests to bring personal toiletries and are oriented toward organized groups, school trips, and Birthright programs.
Activities and Experiences
The camel ride through the Kana’im Valley is Kfar HaNokdim’s signature activity, typically lasting approximately 20 minutes and guided by Bedouin staff for whom the camels are part of an extended family. Donkey rides are also available.
After dark, guided scorpion hunts with ultraviolet lights reveal the desert floor’s nocturnal inhabitants. A Bedouin cultural presentation includes traditional coffee and tea ceremonies led by local Bedouin speakers, offering context for the semi-nomadic traditions that shaped this landscape.
Evening bonfires are built in designated areas (wood available for purchase), and the absence of Wi-Fi and limited mobile reception creates a digital silence that many visitors describe as the most memorable element of their stay.
The “Nokdim Overnight Experience” package includes accommodation, a camel ride, breakfast, dinner, a guided desert safari, and a bonfire evening. Day visit packages are also available.
Practical Information
Getting There
From Arad, drive east on Route 3199 toward Masada West for approximately 8 km. The camp is signposted on the right. Public transportation reaches Arad from Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva, but the final 8 km from Arad to Kfar HaNokdim requires a taxi or pre-arranged transport. Public buses do not run from Friday noon until Saturday evening.
Note: There is no vehicle passage between Masada West (Route 3199) and Route 90 on the Dead Sea shore. Visitors continuing to the Dead Sea after their stay must return through Arad.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March through May) and autumn (September through November) offer the most comfortable desert temperatures, with warm days and cool nights ideal for bonfires and desert walks. Summer brings intense heat during the day, though evenings cool significantly at Kfar HaNokdim’s elevation. The compound closes on weekends from July through mid-September.
FAQ Section
How far is Kfar HaNokdim from Masada?
Kfar HaNokdim is 11 km (approximately 15 minutes by car) from Masada’s western entrance, which accesses the Roman ramp path. This is the shorter, easier ascent route. The eastern Snake Path entrance on Route 90 requires returning through Arad and approaching from a different direction.
Is Kfar HaNokdim suitable for children?
Families with children are welcome. Camel and donkey rides, scorpion hunts, and bonfire evenings appeal to a wide age range. Cribs and extra beds are not available, so families should plan bedding accordingly. A small petting zoo on the grounds offers additional animal interaction for younger children.
Can I do a Masada sunrise hike from Kfar HaNokdim?
Yes. The Masada western entrance is a 15 minute drive from the camp. Guests can hike Masada at sunrise and return in time for breakfast. Coordinate with staff on breakfast timing when you arrive.
Is there food at Kfar HaNokdim?
The “Nokdim Overnight Experience” includes an Israeli breakfast (pita, omelet, salad) and a traditional Bedouin Hafla dinner served in the stone dining room. A la carte meals may not be available outside package bookings. A communal cooking area is provided for self-catering, but guests must bring their own utensils and ingredients.
Does Kfar HaNokdim have a pool?
A water complex is available seasonally for cooling off. It is not a full resort-style swimming pool. Visitors seeking pool facilities may prefer combining a Kfar HaNokdim stay with a day trip to one of the Dead Sea’s beach complexes.
